Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov presented the Pushkin Medal to Attila Vidnyánszky on Saturday in Moscow, on the day of Russian National Unity.
Vidnyánszky was given the prize because of his contribution to the promotion of Russian culture in Hungary.

We appreciate that due to your efforts, cooperation between Russian and Hungarian theater companies has been reestablished said Sergei Lavrov at the Russian Foreign Ministry ceremony.

The Puskin Medal was founded in 1999; it is awarded to Russian and foreign citizens who excel in culture, arts, and humanities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also attended the gala event after the awards ceremony.

Earlier, Attila Vidnyánszky received one of the most prestigious Russian art prizes, the Meyerhold Theater and Cultural Center award, which is usually given to the world's best theater directors.

Last year, Vidnyánszky directed Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment in one of Russia's most prestigious theaters, the world-famous Alexandrinsky Theatre in St Petersburg.